The Dallas Park and Recreation Board approved on Thursday the usage of land in Far West Oak Cliff for a new Dallas Wings practice facility. Board members specifically authorized using a portion of Joey Georgusis Park at 1200 North Cockrell Hill Road for the WNBA team\u2019s facility, which will cost $55 million.<\/p>\n
While some board members had questions about other options considered for the facility and why this location was chosen, support for the item was generally widespread. \u201cI just appreciate that southern Dallas is on the table,\u201d Council District 3 representative Vana Hammond said. \u201cAnd we appreciate the Wings for considering southern Dallas.\u201d<\/p>\n
Council District 8 representative Bo Slaughter said he\u2019s \u201csick and tired of teams saying that they\u2019re Dallas teams, but they\u2019re in Fort Worth or in Mesquite or something … so I\u2019m supportive of this.\u201d<\/p>\n
The park board\u2019s action comes a week after the City Council approved a proposal 12-3 to design the facility at the park that would open before next season. The Wings\u2019 offices would also be based in that area of southwest Dallas.<\/p>\n
Some council members at the May 28 meeting wanted to delay the vote to learn more about how public dollars will be spent and were confused about why they weren\u2019t briefed about the new site before the meeting.<\/p>\n
But the maneuvers are the result of delays to the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center redevelopment that pushed back the Wings\u2019 move-in date, The Dallas Morning News reported May 23.<\/p>\n
The team expected to move to Memorial Auditorium in 2026 under a 15-year, $19 million use agreement that also included the construction of a practice facility.<\/p>\n
The April 2024 agreement with the Wings binds the city to its duty to provide the facility on time. The Dallas City Council will vote June 11 to adjust its contract with the Wings, who practice and play home games at UT-Arlington\u2019s College Park Center.<\/p>\n
For the park board, approving the land was \u201ca no brainer,\u201d board president Arun Agarwal said.<\/p>\n
Council members Paul Ridley, Kathy Stewart and Jesse Moreno recently wrote in a signed memo to the city manager that spending $55 million on the practice facility \u201craises significant concerns.\u201d<\/p>\n
They asked the city manager to reconsider support for the project and to refer it to the appropriate committee for further review and discussion. The council members said the Wings \u201cmay utilize interim practice venues until the permanent facility is constructed.\u201d<\/p>\n